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The next thing I knew, it was July 3rd(thank Gawd!) and I was staring down a blissful holiday weekend. I had one class left to teach before I was off-duty, and I couldn’t freaking wait.
“Let’s go, Sailfish 1! I need everyone at the side of the pool, good, sit down. No, Zoey, don’t jump in yet. Everyone has to wait their turn.” I waded into the shallow end, facing the row of five- and six-year-olds, dutifully lined up like little ducks on the edge of the water.
“Alright, so first we’re going to practice blowing big bubbles. Who remembers blowing big bubbles?”
All five kids raised their hands, chattering amongst themselves about who could blow the biggest bubble.
“Does anyone want to jump in and show me?” I asked, taking in their eager, adorable faces. All five hands shot up again, fingers spread wide, waving to get my attention.
“Carter? How about you?” Carter beamed at me through his goggles.
“Okay, c’mon, jump in.” He tumbled off the edge and gripped the side of the pool, popping his face under the water and blowing huge air bubbles.
“Good job!” I said, while the class cheered him on.
“Okay, everyone else—jump in and get going!” They all warmed up with bubbles, then we moved on to kicks, then big arms. Finally, we ended the lesson with floating. Then class was over and I was five pick-ups away from the weekend.
One by one, every kid was scooped up until it was just me and Hudson still at the pool. His lower lip trembled when he realized he was the last kid there.
“Taylor forgot me,” he said, tears filling his big blue eyes.
“I’m sure she’ll be here, buddy. Until then, we can hang out. You want to hop out of the pool and dry off?” I asked. He nodded, so I squeezed his little hand and walked him up the steps, wrapping him up in his beach towel.
“Is Taylor picking you up today? Or is it your dad? Do you know?” I asked, drying my hair.
“I don’t know,” he said, his little lip trembling.
“Okay, that’s fine. We’ll hang here for a few minutes, then I can call your dad if she doesn’t come back.”
He gave me another tiny nod, then climbed up on a chair, crossing his ankles and kicking his feet back and forth.
Poor guy.I sat in the chair next to him and tried to kick up conversation, just to take his mind off things.
“So. What’s your favorite food, Hudson?”
He cocked his blonde head to the side and scrunched up his face, thinking hard. “Puhsghetti.”
“Oh, good choice. I like spaghetti, too. What about the meatballs?”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t eat meatballs.”
“Got it. Noted. Do you play any sports? I mean, besides swimming?”
“Yes. I also play t-ball and soccer. I want to play football, but my daddy says it’s too dangerous.”
“Hmmm, interesting. I like football myself. Did you know there’s a professional football player from Starlight Bay?”
“Really? That’s so cool!” His face lit up with a huge grin. “Can I meet him?”
I chuckled. “If I see him, I’ll send him your way. Not sure if he’s in town for the Fourth or not. He might be at training camp.”
“Awesome!”
“I know, right? He’s a good guy, too. Nick Milton. You’ll have to watch for him on TV this fall.”
Hudson bobbed his head and I knew Nick had another fan.
“Hey, buddy, sorry I’m late.”
